Combination opener and dispenser for cardboard containers with inner containers



March 17, 1959 w. E. WHITMIRE 2,877,932 COMBINATION OPENER AND DISPENSER FOR CARDBOARD CONTAINERS WITH INNER CONTAINERS Filed May 8, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 3o 3 I I 56 h m 44 38 I l. I 22 Fig. l

' INVENTOR. WILLIAM E. WHITMIRE March 17, 1959 w. E. WHITMIRE 2,877,932

COMBINATION OPENER AND DISPENSER FOR CARDBOARD CONTAINERS WITH INNER CONTAINERS Filed May 8, 1957 Fig. 4

INVENTOR. WILLIAM E. WHITMIRE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States ate COMBINATION OPENER AND DISPENSER F OR CONTAINERS WITH INNER CON- This invention relates generally to dispensing devices and more particularly to a combination opener and dispenser for cardboard containers and the like having inner containers which must also be ruptured.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a combination opener and dispenser for containers used in the merchandising of cereals and provided with a wax paper inner container, it being obvious that this invention is not limited to use with cereal boxes, although this may be the principal field of use. The problem solved by this invention is not the simple opening of the outer container but also envisages the necessity for limiting the degree of rupture of the inner container and the blending or shifting of the ruptured parts of both containers into positions where they will not interfere with the pouring of the cereal. The problem must also be considered to involve the provision of an adequate spout and the temporary but firm securement of the device on the container. This primary object, therefore, seeks to solve the foregoing problem.

Another object of this invention ancillary to the preceding object is to provide a combination spout and opener which is easily inserted into operative position on the container.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a device of the character mentioned above which is safe to use, provision being made for the guarding of the necessary sharp points of the device, so that the device may be used by children.

Yet another object is to provide a combination opener and spout wherein the means for rupturing the inner container co-operates in a novel and highly satisfactory manner in fastening the device temporarily on the container.

A final object to be mentioned is to provide a device of this character which can be manufactured economically from easily available material, the exact character of which may be chosen according to the dictates of availability and price considerations.

With these objects definitely in view along with other objects which will appear hereinafter as this description proceeds, this invention resides in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of elements and portions as hereinafter fullydescribed in the specification, particularly pointed out in the claims, and illustrated in the drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is an isometric view of the device shown in the position thereof after being initially inserted into a container, the container being shown fragmentarily;

Figure 2 is a view, similar to Figure 1 and showing the device in the position assumed thereby after the inner container opener has been pivoted into inner container rupturing position with coincidental definition of a pouring spout, the container being fragmentarily shown and partially broken away to show one cheek plate and adjacent portions as disposed within the container;

Figure 3 is a central, vertical cross-sectional view of the structure as shown in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a similar view of the structure as positioned in Figure 2;

Figure 5 is an end view of the combination opener and dispenser with the inner container opener disposed as indicated in Figures 1 and 3.

Similar characters of reference indicate similar or identical elements and portions throughout the specification and throughout the different figures of the drawings.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, I will first describe briefly an example of the environment wherewith this invention will be used, more specifically a portion of a container such as is used in merchandising cereals. Such a container comprises a side panel 10 of what may be regarded as the actual container along with a top panel 12 and end panel 14, all of which will be ordinarily constructed of cardboard. An inner container 16, ordinarily of waxed paper, is loosely encased by the outer container and the cereal is preserved in the air-tight inner container. When my invention is used, a portion 18, best shown in Figure 3, is cut away on three sides as the device is first inserted, this portion 18 being bent downwardly into the position whereof indicated at 20 in Figure 4. A portion 22 of the end panel 14 will remain undisturbed. A portion 24, shown best in Figure 3, of the inner container is ruptured and bent down into the position indicated at 26 in Figure 4.

Coming now to the device itself, this device comprises an elongated plate member 30 Which is sharpened to a point 32, and cheek plates 34 are disposed in confronting relation and integral with the longitudinal edge portions of the plate member 30. In other words, the plate member 30 and cheek plates 34 define an inverted U- shaped element which may be considered the frame of the device. The cheek plates 34 taper toward the point 32 and are provided with sharpened edges 36 on what may be considered the forward ends of the cheek plates. It will be obvious how the point 32 and sharpened edges 36 will separate the portion 18 of the end panel at three sides thereof when the device is pushed into the side of the container as indicated in Figures 1 and 3.

Portions 38 of the cheek plates extend rearwardly or away from said point 32 and these extended portions 38 together with an adjacent end portion of the plate member 30 define three sides of the spout of the device. A spring strap 40 is terminally secured, by means of a rivet 42 or otherwise, to the top surface of the plate member 30 and this strap is slightly longer than the corresponding portion of the plate member 38 so that the forward end of the strap projects over the point 32 as a guard therefor. The principal function of the strap 40 is, however, to hold the plate member 30 in engagement with the top panel 12, by virtue of its relative positioning and its resiliency.

The inner container opener is generally indicated by the numeral 44 and comprises a base plate 46 with integral flange portions 48 disposed in confronting vertical position on each side of the base plate 46 and in engagement with the extending portions 38 of the cheek plates, the upstanding fiange portions 48 being pivoted as at 50 to the extending portions 38. The inner container opener also includes a sharpened portion 52 which is integral with and disposed normally to the base plate 46, this sharpened portion 52 being of a length slightly shorter than the corresponding portion of the plate member 30. To complete the structure, a cross member 54 is formed integral with the forward lower edge portions of the element 38, and the sharpened portion 52 clamps the downturned portions of the outer container and inner container, as indicated at 20 and 26, between the cross member 54 and the adjacent section of the sharpened portion 52 when the inner container opener 44 is pivoted into the position indicated in Figure 4. This holds the device in position and at the same time completes the definition of a pouring spout, since the base plate 46 is coincidentally moved into the position shown in Figures 2 and 4. To hold the inner container opener 44 in this position, the extending portions 33 are provided with inwardly turned lips 56 at the bottom edges thereof remote from the cross member 54, and it will be recalled that the device will ordinarily be constructed entirely or largely of sheet metal so that considerable resilience in the extending portions 38 will be inherent in this construction, allowing the inner container opener 44 to be snapped into this position as indicated in Figures 2 and 4. The base plate has a secondary function as a handle for the inner container opener 44.

When it is desired to re-close the container by closing the spout outlet of the device described above, it is only necessary that the combined handle and base plate 46 be pivoted downwardly into the position thereof indicated in Figures 1 and 3, and the base plate 46 is properly dimensioned to close the opening between the cheek plates. It will be observed that when the device is in this position the spring strap 40 retains the device on the container.

The operation of this invention will be clearly understood from a consideration of the foregoing objects and description of the mechanical details thereof, since the latter have been somewhat functionally described. Further description is deemed unnecessary.

Minor variations from the form of the invention detailed herein may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the instant invention.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A combined opener and dispenser for cardboard containers and the like having an inner container, comprising: an elongated plate member having a point; a pair of check plates, one on each side of said plate member and extending normal thereto and sharpened at the edges thereof adjacent to said point; and an inner container opener pivotally mounted on and between said cheek plates on an axis extending transversely thereof; said inner container opener being disposable in one position substantially parallel and adjacent to said plate member; and means to pivot said inner container opener about said axis into a second position substantially normal to said plate member; said inner container opener having a base plate and said base plate, along with said check plates forming a spout when the inner container opener is in said second position.

2. A combined opener and dispenser for cardboard containers and the like having an inner container, comprising: an elongated plate member having a point; a pair of cheek plates, one on each side of said plate member and extending normal thereto and sharpened at the edges thereof adjacent to said point; and an inner container opener pivotally mounted on and between said check plates on an axis extending transversely thereof; said inner container opener being disposable in one position substantially parallel and adjacent to said plate member; and means to pivot said inner container opener about said axis into a second position substantially normal to said plate member; and means to hold said plate member in fixed relation to the outer container after insertion thereinto.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said means 6 is a strap extending beyond said point and constituting a guard for said point when the device is removed from the container.

4. A combined opener and dispenser for cardboard containers and the like having an inner container, comprising: an elongated plate member having a point; a pair of check plates, one on each side of said plate member and extending normal thereto and sharpened at the edges thereof adjacent to said point; and an inner container opener pivotally mounted on and between said cheek plates on an axis extending transverse thereof; said inner container opener being disposable in one position substantially parallel and adjacent to said plate member; and means to pivot said inner container opener about said axis into a second position substantially normal to said plate member; said cheek plates having portions thereof extending beyond said sharpened edges in the direction away from said point; and said inner container opener having a handle portion extending in said direction when in said second position; the cheek plate portions and handle portion constituting a spout.

5. A combined opener and dispenser for cardboard containers and the like having an inner container, comprising: an elongated plate member having a point; a pair of cheek plates, one on each side of said plate member and extending normal thereto and sharpened at the edges thereof adjacent to said point; and an inner container opener pivotally mounted on and between said cheek plates on an axis extending transversely thereof; said inner container opener being disposable in one position substantially parallel and adjacent to said plate member; and means to pivot said inner container opener about said axis into a second position substantially normal to said plate member; said inner container opener comprising a sharpened portion and a handle portion extending substantially normal thereto; said handle portion closing the space between said check plates when said inner container opener is in said one position.

6. A combined opener and dispenser for cardboard containers and the like having an inner container, com prising: an elongated plate member having a point; a pair of cheek plates, one on each side of said plate member and extending normal thereto and sharpened at the edges thereof adjacent to said point; and an inner container opener pivotally mounted on and between said cheek plates on an axis extending transversely thereof; said inner container opener being disposable in one position substantially parallel and adjacent to said plate member; and means to pivot said inner container opener about said axis into a second position substantially normal to said plate member; a cross member secured to and between said cheek plates; said cross member being in adjacent confronting relation to said inner container opener in said second position thereof, whereby a portion of an outer container and an adjacent portion of an inner container may be grasped therebetween and the device secured against withdrawal from the container.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6 and including the means to hold said inner container opener in said second position.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,040,586 Wiswell May 12, 1936 2,318,899 Stilwell May 11, 1943 2,333,781 Halstead Nov. 9, 1943 

